Any advice on fishing tampa florida jan 23

[adamr]

Were taking a family trip to tampa my wife and daughter want to lay on the beach any advice on fishing . I have know idea except to walk down and take a charter or is that all one can do?

[mainbutter]

The best advice I can give you is figure out what beach you will be lounging on, and use google/google maps to find the nearest bait shop. They will be your best resource for catching some fish.

Bait fishing using shrimp on bare hooks (with some weight for casting, and potentially semi-still fishing on the bottom if you want) works all over the Gulf of Mexico in the surf.

When I fish the gulf in Florida, I set myself up with 2'' sections of cut ladyfish on 10/0 circle hooks, and a 4oz pyramid sinker about a foot up from the bait. I wade into the surf, cast as far as I can, and let out line as I walk to shore. I place my rod in a rod holder (PVC pipe with one end cut at an angle to make a point, and I dig it into the sand) and wait for the bait clicker to buzz. Just about everything of catching size will potentially pick up a mouthful of cut fish. This is a great way to catch small sharks.

[Sota2Florida]

Google "sunshine skyway fishing pier" you don't need a license, can rent a rod for cheap, and the bait shops are on the bridge.

You have a few beach options near the bridge, but Clearwater is the best in the area if you ask me. Touristy but very nice.

[popriveter]

About 10 years ago, my dad, sister and I hopped on a party-style fishing boat in Tampa. It was not a conventional charter. At the time it was about $20 per person and there were probably 30 passengers who each got a spot to fish off the deck. They drove from sport to spot and let us fish (vertically with bait on the bottom) for about 20 minutes at each hump where they parked.

We caught grunts, puffers, crabs and snappers. The lady next to me caught an octopus. The guys who arrived early and camped on the spot next to the anchor caught grouper. They later told us that the transducer is there, so that spot on the boat gives you the best chance of sitting on the top of the hump.

I've gotten my sister into some great days of fishing over the years, but that is still the only fishing experience she ever gets excited about.

[Nick Kuhn]

Party boats are still available and you can usually go for $25-$50. Trips can be longer or shorter: and there will be a lot of people on the boat if the weather is nice. Good way to meet people and fish on the cheap if that's all you are looking to do. Chances are you won't learn much as the first mate and captain have quite a few people to assist.

[2eyesman2]

gandy bait and tackle..in south tampa,clearwater beach there is a fishing pier that sells bait and rents rod,sunshine pier same thing. Also check out the local newspaper heres a link http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/newreply/Number/2737953

[popriveter]

My best advice: take pics and post some here when you return! We're getting pretty cold. Some pics of warm weather, saltwater fishing would shorten winter for me little.

[adamr]

Ok ill try when i get back im down here now but were doing the disney thing its 80 during the day and its gotta be 65 on the patio right now as i type this drinking my third coors. Funny thing the main thing on my mind is the icefishing back home. Besides all the lowcut tanktop tight shirts i seen on beautiful chicks today. Later adam

[adamr]

I ended up going on one of the larger party fishing boats we caught gray snapper. There about the size of a crappie. 57 bucks I had 12 in a half day I was happy, I wanted to do one of the smaller boats looking for 1 or 2 people none to be had. There so slow one captin said he hasnt left port for over a month there was no one there. Had a good time 80 every day tried fishing off the pier you rent a rod for 20 bucks with bait . Only caught small 7" ocean perch. thanks for your imputs.